One of the things I enjoyed about serving in the Colorado General Assembly was being a part of a true citizen legislature. While we worked on issues important to Colorado citizens, we also had roots in our communities through our jobs, schools and community commitments. It kept us grounded to the things that matter and focused on forward progress.

I have been out of the General Assembly 16 years now, and one of the things we still have not seen progress on is changing Colorado’s Prohibition-era restriction on the sale of full strength beer, including Colorado craft beer, in grocery stores. This practice defies practicality. Allowing only 3.2 percent alcohol beer in grocery stores is not only impractical, it unnecessarily hurts our growing craft brew industry by denying them new shelf space to reach new customers. It limits customers’ choice of where and how they wish to buy their beer and wine.

For years, this debate has been occurring without being in the full view or receiving the participation of average residents. But this year, Colorado voters will have the opportunity to decide for themselves what they want to see. On the ballot in November 2016, Coloradans will be offered a better way to buy and sell beer and wine.

The sale of full strength beer and wine in grocery stores would benefit all Coloradans. Just like other Colorado brands that have found new customers through their exposure on grocery store shelves, more shelf space equals more sales for local craft brewers and winemakers. An economist at the University of Denver predicts that a change in the law would lead to $125 million in more sales for the craft beer industry, which also means more local jobs. We can also expect prices for those Colorado households that enjoy beer and wine to drop 18 percent over three years.

We shouldn’t forget that full strength beer and wine sales are already safely and successfully happening in one store per chain in our state. And furthermore, grocery stores already safely sell 3.2 percent beer in many locations. Grocery stores have thorough ID check procedures and protocols in place that liquor stores simply cannot match. In fact, according to Colorado state records, liquor stores violate underage sales laws at a much higher rate because they do not have the same strict safety protocols as grocery stores.

And don’t be swayed by the argument that this will negatively impact liquor stores. Grocery stores and liquor stores can coexist, just like they do in 42 other states, in part because liquor stores retain the exclusive right to sell spirits. Grocery stores and liquor stores already coexist in the Colorado locations where grocery chains are allowed to sell full strength beer and wine in a single store. In Glendale, for example, there are dozens of thriving liquor stores within a two mile radius of two of those stores.

The current law denies our small businesses an opportunity to grow and it denies everyday Coloradans access to their favorite products, especially locally made ones. Innovation and a commitment to all things Colorado are what make our state one of the best places in the country to start a business. It’s time our laws align with this spirit.

I, for one, am glad to see the debate taken directly to the voters. Coloradans deserve a better way to buy our favorite Colorado beer and wine, and that means we ought to be able to choose our local grocery store.